Speeches and Presentations
Straight Talk on Crooked Lines: Gerrymandering CLE
Benjamin Geffen — September 28, 2017
Partisan gerrymandering is a hot-button issue across the United States. Pennsylvania is now facing a legal challenge to its congressional map, which is among the top three starkest partisan gerrymanders in the country. The Public Interest Law Center brought that case on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and individual voters from each of the 18 districts for the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition to our lawsuit, partisan gerrymandering is a hot-button issue across the United States. Both Wisconsin and Maryland are facing legal challenges about redistricting. On September 28, 2017, we hosted a CLE seminar: Straight Talk on Crooked Lines – The Impact of Gerrymandering on the Democratic Process.
Video of the CLE
City Council Testimony on Ex-Offender Employment Discrimination
Jennifer Clarke – March 31, 2011
Minutes before Philadelphia’s City Council voted on a ‘Ban the Box’ordinance, Law Center Executive Director Jennifer Clarke spoke in favor of the proposal, which bans employers from asking about a job applicant’s convictions during the initial phase of the hiring process and requires that any decision not to hire be based on the actual requirements of the job. City Council passed the ordinance with a vote of 13-4.
Ban the Box Testimony
Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations School Violence Hearings
Jennifer Clarke – February 3, 2010
The Law Center’s Jennifer Clarke testified at the first of eleven hearings on school violence in Philadelphia, hosted by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. These meetings were held in response to an outbreak of assaults against approximately 30 Asian students on December 3, 2009 at South Philadelphia High School.
PCHR Testimony
Testimony on Order to End School Desegregation Case before School Reform Commission
Michael Churchill – July 8, 2009
Michael Churchill spoke at the Philadelphia School Reform Commission meeting on behalf of Law Center client ASPIRA, a community intervenor in the long-running school desegregation case, in favor of the proposed order to end the case and increase resources and opportunities for low-performing, high-poverty, and minority-concentrated schools. The SRC unanimously approved the order.
Testimony: Michael’s remarks
Andrew Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Churchill – December 9, 2008
The Public Interest Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association awarded Michael Churchill the Andrew Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award is given annually to an experienced public interest lawyer who has demonstrated a personal vision and commitment to the mission they serve, innovation in their work, and clear results achieved throughout their career.
Michael’s Remarks
Congressional Briefing
Michael Churchill – September 8, 2008
Mr. Churchill participated in a congressional briefing hosted by PA Representative Chaka Fattah on the topic of Educational Equity and the role of the federal government in Public Education.
Congressional Briefing Remarks
All Children Left Behind – Panel on Education Funding & Inequality
Michael Churchill – April 24, 2008
Mr. Churchill participated in a panel discussion entitled “All Children Left Behind” at the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Minority Attorney Conference. Mr. Churchill’s portion of the presentation was entitled “Pennsylvania’s Unequal School Finance System: It Can Be Changed.”
“All Children Left Behind” PowerPoint Presentation
Naturalization Ceremony
Jennifer Clarke – October 18, 2007
Jennifer Clarke, the Law Center’s Executive Director, was the Distinguished Guest Speaker at Philadelphia’s Naturalization Ceremony. She was honored to address 99 new citizens from 37 countries following the administration of their Oath of Citizenship. The Ceremony was held at the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia.
Naturalization Ceremony Speech
Syracuse University Commencement Address
Tom Gilhool – May 12, 2007
Tom Gilhool received the honorary degree of Doctor of Education from Syracuse University. Nancy Cantor, Syracuse’s Chancellor and President said of Tom:
“Mr. Gilhool’s role as architect of the landmark right-to-education case (PARC v. Commonwealth) and involvement in groundbreaking litigation to enable people with disabilities to live in the community will be an inspiration to our students and their families, for inclusion has long been a hallmark of our School of Education.”
Syracuse University Commencement Speech
Holy Family University Commencement Address
Tom Gilhool – February, 2007
As emeritus Law Center attorney Tom Gilhool received the Doctor of Humane Letters from Holy Family University in February 2007, he urged the graduates to action.
Holy Family University Commencement Speech
Andrew Hamilton Award Acceptance Speech
Tom Gilhool – December 5, 2006
The Public Interest Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association presented Tom Gilhool with the Andrew Hamilton Award at their 15th Anniversary Celebration in 2006. This prestigious award is given annually to a lawyer who has demonstrated a personal vision and commitment to the mission they serve, innovation in their work, and clear results achieved throughout their career.
Andrew Hamilton Acceptance Speech
